Positive For Marijuana

The NBA briefly suspended its new drug-testing program last week after union leaders complained that confidentiality had been breached during the first three weeks of the program.Leaders of the players association said a core provision of the drug-testing effort had been violated, and the entire program called into question, because a reporter had learned that about a half-dozen players tested positive for marijuana early this month during the first week of tests.NBA officials said they, too, were concerned about the disclosure, and they agreed to halt the drug testing.

Less than a week after losing a decision to Sergio Martinez in Las Vegas, it was announced Wednesday that former middleweight title contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has tested positive for marijuana use. According to Top Rank president Bob Arum, Chavez's post-fight urine sample came back positive for marijuana use, according to ESPN.com. "The commission let (Top Rank's Carl) Moretti know (Tuesday) night that he tested positive," Arum said. "I can't really get excited about it. There's no promoter in boxing who could pass the marijuana test, including myself.

THE NAVY, reversing its forgiving approach to recruits who test positive for marijuana use, has decided that they will be barred from entering the service. ''You test positive for marijuana use, you're gone,'' said Vice Adm. J. Michael Boorda, the Navy's chief of personnel. Adm. Carlisle A.H. Trost, the chief of naval operations, sent the anti-drug message to his recruiting commanders this month. The new policy will go into effect Feb. 1. Previously, the Navy has given a second chance to recruits who tested positive for marijuana use in boot camp.

Question: I'm taking a two-month leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act to care for an ill family member. I've been told my job will be waiting for me when I come back, but the company is in some financial difficulty and there are rumors of layoffs. If my position is eliminated while I'm away, does the company still have to employ me? Answer: If your job position is eliminated as a result of a reduction in force, your company would have no legal obligation to hire you back, said Jack Lord, a labor-and-employment lawyer with Foley & Lardner in Orlando.

THEY DIDN'T SAY NO. Van Waiters, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebackerfrom Indiana drafted in the third round by Cleveland, failed a drug test at an NFL evaluation camp in February and the Browns knew it, The Akron Beacon Journal reported. The paper reported it had been told by three unidentified sources who had access to confidential reports from the camp that Waiters tested positive for marijuana. Sources said the level of marijuana present in Waiters' drug screening indicated casual usage within 48 hours of the test.

A MISTAKE. Tim Witherspoon did not have marijuana in his system during his one-round title loss to James ''Bonecrusher'' Smith as was reported earlier this week by the New York State Athletic Commission, chairman Jose Torres said. ''I knew I was clean,'' Witherspoon said from his home in suburban Philadelphia. ''I've been clean for a year.'' Witherspoon was fined $25,000 when he tested positive for marijuana after he won the World Boxing Association title from Tony Tubbs last Jan. 17 at Atlanta.

FLAGLER BEACH -- This city's fire chief has been suspended for two weeks after testing positive for marijuana use. Chief Rob Creal was suspended Friday until Sept. 9 by City Manager Nancy Ciummo after officials were informed of the drug test's results. On Tuesday, Creal, 51, acknowledged smoking marijuana "intermittently" but attributed it to momentary weakness. "I just hope that everybody understands that I made a huge mistake, and there's not much I can do it about it now," he said.

THE DEFENSE Department blocked more than 11,500 people from joining the armed forces last year because they tested positive for drug or alcohol abuse. Even though the program tagged more than 11,500 recruit applicants during the first seven months, some defense officials say the program isn't worth its cost. Pentagon statistics show that only about 3.5 percent of those tested from June 1 to Dec. 31 were found to have abused marijuana, cocaine or alcohol. The armed forces rejected 11,279 people for testing positive for marijuana or cocaine use and another 265 for alcohol abuse.

Suspect: Ronda MillerLast residence: 232 Palmetto St., Eustis.Description: Miller is a black female, 5-foot-4, 125 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair and a tattoo of the letter ''R'' on her left shoulder.Charge: Miller was placed on two years probation Nov. 6, 1995, for two counts of forging checks.She violated several terms of her probation, including that she not use drugs, that she comply with the instructions of her probation officer and that she pay restitution of $375.Miller tested positive for marijuana on Feb. 14, April 2 and Aug. 13.She missed scheduled appointments at LifeStream Behavioral Center and has paid back only $89.98 in restitution.

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Don't count Ricky Williams out yet. So says the attorney who is handling the appeal of what would be the Miami Dolphins running back's fourth failed drug test. If he loses today's appeal, it would be Williams' fourth strike in the NFL's substance-abuse program and could result in a minimum one-year suspension. Attorney David Cornwell said he has taken on a "substantial number" of NFL player cases after which his clients either didn't face any discipline or received lighter discipline than many expected.

DAVIE -- Miami Dolphins tailback Ricky Williams is facing a yearlong suspension from the NFL under the league's substance-abuse policy, a Denver television station reported Sunday. Quoting a "highly placed NFL source," KDVR-TV reported Williams violated the policy. If he failed or missed a drug test, Williams would be subject to a minimum one-year suspension because he has tested positive for marijuana on three previous occasions. Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene declined comment on the report.

FLAGLER BEACH -- This city's fire chief has been suspended for two weeks after testing positive for marijuana use. Chief Rob Creal was suspended Friday until Sept. 9 by City Manager Nancy Ciummo after officials were informed of the drug test's results. On Tuesday, Creal, 51, acknowledged smoking marijuana "intermittently" but attributed it to momentary weakness. "I just hope that everybody understands that I made a huge mistake, and there's not much I can do it about it now," he said.

DALY HAS SHARE OF SONY LEAD John Daly can't remember the last time he had a drink. He can't remember when his body felt this good. His face really went blank Thursday when asked the last time he shot 64. "I'm a little shocked myself," Daly said after a controlled round of 6-under-par 64 that gave him a share of the lead with Brad Faxon and Larry Mize in the PGA Sony Open in Honolulu. Looking as fit as he has in years and pounding it as hard as ever, Daly made seven birdies and only one mistake at windy Waialae Country Club for his lowest score in three years.

The NBA briefly suspended its new drug-testing program last week after union leaders complained that confidentiality had been breached during the first three weeks of the program.Leaders of the players association said a core provision of the drug-testing effort had been violated, and the entire program called into question, because a reporter had learned that about a half-dozen players tested positive for marijuana early this month during the first week of tests.NBA officials said they, too, were concerned about the disclosure, and they agreed to halt the drug testing.

DALY HAS SHARE OF SONY LEAD John Daly can't remember the last time he had a drink. He can't remember when his body felt this good. His face really went blank Thursday when asked the last time he shot 64. "I'm a little shocked myself," Daly said after a controlled round of 6-under-par 64 that gave him a share of the lead with Brad Faxon and Larry Mize in the PGA Sony Open in Honolulu. Looking as fit as he has in years and pounding it as hard as ever, Daly made seven birdies and only one mistake at windy Waialae Country Club for his lowest score in three years.

Suspect: Ronda MillerLast residence: 232 Palmetto St., Eustis.Description: Miller is a black female, 5-foot-4, 125 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair and a tattoo of the letter ''R'' on her left shoulder.Charge: Miller was placed on two years probation Nov. 6, 1995, for two counts of forging checks.She violated several terms of her probation, including that she not use drugs, that she comply with the instructions of her probation officer and that she pay restitution of $375.Miller tested positive for marijuana on Feb. 14, April 2 and Aug. 13.She missed scheduled appointments at LifeStream Behavioral Center and has paid back only $89.98 in restitution.

Neither the Tampa Bay Buccaneers nor agent Drew Rosenhaus was commenting after police stopped defensive tackle Warren Sapp on Saturday on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.An anonymous tip led Tampa police to stop Sapp, who was driving his car in an east Tampa neighborhood known for drug activity. Authorities said a search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 12.7 grams of marijuana.''I can't comment about it right now,'' Rosenhaus, who represents Sapp, said Sunday. ''I can't say anything else.